Belgian GP Review and Italian GP Preview: Tricks, Trips and Triples

As with most races so far this year, the Belgian GP gave us more questions than answers.

After a fairly typical wet qualifying, barring a below par session for Hulkenberg, a car problem for Gutierrez and André Lotterer replacing Kobayashi, almost everyone was roughly where they should’ve been based on 2014 form. The big stories in Q3 were the two second margin Mercedes had over their rivals and Vettel beating Alonso for third.

In the race, Mercedes initially scampered away and two drivers had an early exit: Pastor Maldonado and André Lotterer. Jules Bianchi was caught up in a first lap incident and had to limp back with a puncture. All was calm, but then came lap 2 - Rosberg wanted to pass Hamilton at Les Combes, but the latter was having none of it. The result was two damaged cars (one beyond full repair) and more embarrassment after the Hungarian GP team radio call to let Nico pass Lewis.

This was another significant blow to Hamilton’s title chances, as he had a damaged floor and a puncture to deal with for almost the entire 7km Spa Francorchamps lap.

However, with another Mercedes self-destruction came Ricciardo’s chance, and having passed Vettel (who went wide at Pouhon) on lap 6, he took the initiative once Rosberg had pitted for tyres and a new front wing assembly.

Despite being flat out thereafter, the damage had already been done and Nico had to settle for second to Ricciardo, who won for the third time in 2014, after a final stint on the soft tyres. Kimi’s resurgence continued with an early pitstop giving him track position over Rosberg and Bottas until the closing stages.

Behind them was Vettel, Magnussen (who was later demoted to 12th), Button, Alonso, Perez, Kvyat and Hulkenberg. Jean-Eric Vergne, who will be replaced by 16 year old Max Verstappen in 2015, just missed out in 11th.

This result left Mercedes comfortably on top of both championships, but Rosberg returns to his post-Austria lead of 29 points with just seven races remaining. However there are technically eight races (points wise) as Abu Dhabi has double points, which could work either way if it turns out to be the deciding race.

For this year’s Italian GP, we should see higher top speeds than 2013, but probably not record breaking speeds.

Coming into this race, pace would suggest Mercedes and Williams are the teams to beat, but Red Bull or even Toro Rosso could surprise us all yet again - especially if it rains as it did in 2008. Lotus and Caterham are likely to struggle again, as could Sauber who are still yet to score this year.